TDC Multivenue Autotest - preview

This Sunday sees the Trial Drivers Club, more commonly known as the TDC, stage their first event of 2012, a multivenue autotest in Mondello Park. This event in its short time running has grown in poularity and this is evident in the strong entry of 92 competitors. This sort of event which combines the tarmac race track and loose surface sections of the rallycross track give the drivers a chance to experience tests which are longer than those used at normal autotests plus the changes in surface conditions can catch people out. Amongst the entry you'll find former Fiesta/Clio/Alfa/Seat racer Eoin Murray and his brother Niall who won the Ginetta Junior Ireland Championship in 2010, circuit racers John Denning and Ciaran Timmons swap their Abarth Cup and ITCC cars for a Starlet and Seicento, from the rally co driving seats come Brian Murphy and Joe Downey in a pair of Starlets. With multi venue regulars like Eamonn Byrne, Frank Lenehan, Declan Hendrick, John Nolan and Liam Cashman the competition will be fierce. Cashman, who will use another Starlet, will make the long trip up from Cork with fellow Munster men and regular entrants in Munster Autotest rounds Gerry and Timmy Lynch who will share a Ford Escort. From the Northern end of the country comes a trio of fast Midgets....cars not drivers :) in the hands of Ashley Lamont, Ivan McAteer and Michael Reid, travelling down with the MG campaigners will be Starlet driver Richard Earney and the MX5 duo of Wesley Sloan and Gareth Dillon who will be hoping to swap times with TDC member and MX5 pilot Piers MacFheorais. Also competing this weekend is regular visitor to these shores, Anthony Preston who will share a Starlet with Jonathan Bradshaw. Some of the Cento Challenge competitors will make a welcome return in the little Fiats and will no doubt be providing great entertainment for the drivers and spectators alike.
Another regular to multivenues who has being missing from events for the last few months, due to a slight illness and recuperation from an operation, is multiple Autotest and Rallycross Champion Dermot Carnegie, lets hope the doctors haven't taken away any of the Carnegie magic.
The scene is set for an enjoyable days sport with some banter thrown in for good measure and if your coming down for a look remember to wrap up well, Mondello is not the warmest location to be in

More info on the event can be found on TDCIreland.com
Start time is 9:30am with drivers briefing at 9:15am, 6 tests to be completed 3 times each

a few pics from the 2011 event

Carrick on Suir Autotest weekend

I was only able to make it to the 2nd day of the Carrick on Suir Autotest weekend which counted for rounds 11 & 12 of the 2011/2012 Hewison Autotest Championship.With tests still being decided and altered when we got there it gave some competitors time to fettle their cars after the previous days tests and also for some running repairs to be carried out, most notable was Gerry Lynch working feverishly to replace/adapt/modify a clutch cable for Liam Cashmans Westfield

When it was all sorted Liam reckoned it was a great job but the pressing question was how long would the warrenty last.......no definite answer was given but I reckon it has well expired by now. After a bit of a wander around to the different test sites to see how things were progressing it was looking like the start albeit delayed was approaching fast, but would you let this group loose on your autotest venue??

Into the first loop of 4 tests and it was Stephen Ferguson ho held a 1.9 second advantage over JJ Farell, both drivers in Mini Specials, best of the Mini Saloons was Eamonn Byrne who was holding third spot with a time of 182.3 for the first 4 tests just 1.6 seconds ahead of the Moke of Paddy Power

In the large Saloon class it was Mark King who was setting the early pace and was 3.5 seconds up on nearest rival Paul Mooney, a fail on test 4 for David Thompson meant he was 5.6 seconds further back Regular Munster Championship competitor Timmy Lynch brought his Westfield along and was mixing it well with Andrew O'Donogue and Darren Quille and was quickest in the Sportscar class at the end ofthe opening loop.

Stephen Ferguson continued to set a blistering pace during the second loop of 4 tests and extended his lead ove JJ by another 3 seconds and Power moved into third spot after Eamonn Byrne suffed a breakage in his Minis gearbox which resulted in a fail on test 8. This meant Daniel Byrne was fastest of the Minis with Norman Ferguson 2nd quickest on the loop and Christy Grimes 3rd quickest. In the large Saloons David Thompson steered his Nova to the top of the class with fastest in class on 3 of the 4 tests and take a 0.3 second advantage over Paul Mooney into the final loop. Andrew O'Donoghue was quickest of the Sportscars over this loop 4.7 secs ahead of Lynch with Quille another 0.5 behind, Lynche remained at the head of the class overall but Quille was reeling the Corkman in.

A great effort by a number of people saw the Byrnes back out on the third loop after Norman and Stephen Ferguson offered the use of the spare engine/box combo that they keep in their van and then set about helping to carry out the change over.

During the third loop Ferguson continued on the strong pace he started with and ended up with a 9.8second cushion over JJ Farrell, Byrnes fail and some quick times on the final loop saw local man Power take third spot overall. A fired up Eamonn set some quick times on the final 4 tests and when Daniel got a penalty on test 11 it was a class win and 4th overall for Eamonn ahead of nephew Daniel, Christy Grimes held on to third in class with Norman Ferguson 4th. Another good run for Thompson saw him increase his class lead to 4.7 seconds over Paul Mooney, a bad run for King saw him slip down the overall order but still maintain 3rd in class. It was all change in the sportscar class when Lynch had a disaster on the last loop and dropped back to third in class afer such a strong showing earlier in the day, it was Quille who benefitted the most and some steady but quick driving resulted in a class win for the Kildare man with Andrew O'Donoghue grabbing 2nd.

Best of the Novice drivers during the day was TDC Beginners Champion, Jamie McMillan with newcomer Peter Falvey coming in 2nd, Lisa Knox won the Ladies award while Seamus Anderson was best of the Carrick Club members in his Starlet.

Event winner Stephen Ferguson

Sunday Results

1 Steven Ferguson (Mini Special) 526.7s,

2 J J Farrell (Mini Special) 536.6s,

3 Paddy Power (Mini Moke) 551.7s,

4 Eamonn Byrne (Mini) 567.8s,

5 Daniel Byrne (Mini) 571.5s,

6 Chris Grimes (Mini) 574.8s,

7 Norman Ferguson (Mini) 577.7s,

8 David Thompson (Nova) 578.4s,

9 Paul Mooney (Nova) 583.1s,

10 Guy Foster (Mini) 588.1s,

11 Paul Phelan (Mini Special) 600.7s,

12 Ian White (Mini) 602.9s.

Class winners: Eamonn Byrne, J J Farrell, Darren Quille (Westfield) 607.3s, Seamus Anderson (Starlet), David Thompson.

Semi-expert award: Paul Mooney.

Novice awards: Jamie McMillan (Nova) 673.8s, Peter Falvey (Corsa) 762.2s.

Seeded Entrylist for Galway Int Rally

Top 10 Historics
H1 Mervyn Johnston Wendy Blackledge Austin Cooper S B2
H2 Ernie Graham Will Graham Ford Escort RS D3
H3 Philip Wylie John Young Ford Escort C3
H4 Ray Cunningham Adrian Cusack Morris Cooper S B2
H5 James Power Declan Kelly Ford Escort Mk1 C3
H6 John Keatley James McKeefry Porsche 911 B5
H7 Martin Creaven Chris Crowe Ford Escort Mk1 C3
H8 John John Spiers Susanne Niedrum Porsche 911 C4
H9 Niall Creighton Gregory Roberts Lotus Cortina B1
H10 John Newman Pat Looney Triumph TBA C4

Top 10 Main field
1 Tim McNulty Paul Kiely Subaru S12B 6
2 Gareth Machale Brian Murphy Ford Focus 6
3 Derek McGarrity James McKee Ford Focus WRC 6
4 Eugene Donnelly Paddy Toner MINI John Cooper Works WRC 6
5 Daragh O'Riordan Tony McDaid Subaru WRC S12 6
6 Darren Gass Enda Sherry Subaru Impreza WRC S10 6
7 Garry Jennings Rory Kennedy Mitsubishi Evo 9 4
8 Alan Ring James O'Brien Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 4
9 Daniel McKenna Andrew Grennan Ford Escort Mk2 14
10 Gary McPhillips TBA Ford Escort Mk2 14

Full entry list available HERE

Donegal Forestry Rally Entry list

No. Driver Name/Navigator Name (Car) [Class]
1 Vincent Mc Aree/Damien Connolly (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [8]
2 Enda Mc Nulty/T B A (Subaru Impreza WRX) [7]
3 Pat O'Connell/Mark Wiley (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [8]
4 Martin Cairns/TBA (Subaru Impreza WRC) [7]
5 Ian Cochrane/Ray Fitzpatrick (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [8]
6 Colin Britton/ (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [8]
7 Stephen Wright/Susanne Wright (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 6) [6]
8 Gerard Lucey/James Lucey (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8) [8]
9 Frank Kelly/Liam Brennan (Ford Escort Mk II) [5]
10 Adrian Hetherington/Gary Nolan (Ford Escort Mk II) [5]
11 Seamus O'Connell/T B A (Ford Escort Mk II) [5]
12 Shane Mc Girr/Niall Connelly (Toyota Starlet) [5]
14 James Coleman/K Shanaghan (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [5]
15 Gary Mc Elhinney/Paddy Mc Crudden (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [4]
16 Brendan Comiskey/Conor Foley (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [8]
17 Conor Harvey/Paddy Mc Daid (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [8]
18 Patrick Keenan/Peter Ward (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [8]
19 Sam Moffet/ (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [8]
20 Mark Murphy/Carol O'Keffe (Subaru Impreza WRC) [6]
21 Jer Connors/Sarah Whelan (Subaru Impreza WRC) [8]
22 Derrick Jobb/Thomas Nugent (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [8]
23 Mickey Mc Gillin/Aaron Johnston (Ford Escort Mk II) [5]
24 Paul Reid/Karl Reid (Ford Escort) [5]
25 Bob Scanlon/Liam Mc Laughlin (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X) [8]
26 Niall Henry/John Rowen (Subaru Impreza N12B) [8]
27 Adrian Mc Elhinney/T B A () [3]
28 Ian Chadwich/Stephen Quin (Subaru Impreza WRX) [6]
29 Pat Price/Stephen Price (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 6) [6]
30 Ben Gormley/Darren Mc Guiness (Subaru Impreza) [8]
31 Stephen Cullen/Seamus O'Grady (Subaru Impreza) [8]
32 Martin Howley/Shaun Lafferty (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) [7]
33 Damien Mc Gauran/Thomas Mc Gauran (Toyota Corolla) [5]

100 Joseph Mc Gonigle/Ciaran Geaney (Citroen C2 R2 Max) [10]
101 Andrew Fanning/Derek Bibbs (Ford Ka) [1]
102 Tommy O'Connell/Phillip Hunter (Ford Escort) [11]
103 Ian Downey/T B A (Opel Corsa) [9]
104 Daniel Cronin/Sean Duggan (Peugeot 206) [9]
105 Dean Rafferty/T B A (Honda Civic) [9]
106 Dermot Mc Gorary/Eamonn Doherty (Talbot Sunbeam) [2]
107 Michael Nevin/T B A (Ford Escort Mk II) [2]
108 Trevor Hutton/Tristen Hutton (Ford Ka) [1]
109 Pierce Doherty Snr/Pierce Doherty Jnr (Opel Corsa) [2]
110 Damian Mc Vey/Raymond Scott (Ford Escort) [9]
111 Michael Bradley/Stephen Gallinagh (Talbot Sunbeam) [2]
112 Dermot Mc Cafferty/Gerry Hughes (Subaru Impreza) [6]

Events this weekend Jan 28/29

DATE: 28.1.12
CLUB: Donegl MC
EVENT: Forestry Rally
VENUE: HQ: Abbey Hotel, The Diamond, Donegal Town
START TIME: 08:30
WEBSITE: Donegal MC

DATE: 29.1.12
CLUB: Co. Cavan MC
EVENT: Autcross (LS)
VENUE: Latton Quarry
START TIME: 11.00
WEBSITE: Co Cavan MC

DATE: 29.1.12
CLUB: Trial Drivers Club
EVENT: Multi-venue Autotest
VENUE: HQ: Mondello Park
START TIME: 09:30
WEBSITE: Trial Drivers Cub

TDC Multi Venue Autotest Entrylist

Entry list for the TDC Multi Venue Autotest in Mondello Park on Sunday Jan 29th has been published and showing the popularity of this sort of event a total of 92 competitors, from North and South of the country and even from across the water, have submitted entries

Car No. Driver Car Class
1 Eddie Peterson Mini 2
2 Clive Peterson Mini 2
3 Eamonn Byrne Starlet 2
4 Daniel Byrne Starlet 2
5 Frank Lenehan Starlet 2
6 Anthony Preston Starlet 2
7 Jonathan Bradshaw Starlet 1
8 Patricia Denning Starlet 2
9 John Denning Starlet 2
10 Eoin Longworth Starlet 2
11 Gareth Dillon: MX-5 3
12 Wesley Sloan MX-5 3
13 Piers Mac Fheorais MX-5 3
14 James Mansfield Mini 1
15 Stefan Walsh Starlet 1
16 Jay Donegan Peugeot 205 2
17 Keith Slowey Starlet 1
18 Mick Kehoe Peugeot 309 2
19 Philip O Reilly Starlet 2
20 David Meeke Corsa 2
21 Richard Meeke Corsa 2
22 Paschal Dunne Starlet 2
23 Shane Dunne Starlet 2
24 Sean O'Toole Starlet 1
25 Declan O'Toole Starlet 1
26 Mark Nugent Starlet 2
27 Robbie Parks Seicento 5
28 Mark Kelly Seicento 5
29 Ciaran Timmons Seicento 5
30 Joe Doran Manta 4
31 Dermot Carnegie Escort 4
32 Martin Nugent Escort 4
33 Billy Fennan Escort 4
34 Ashley Lamont MG Midget 3
35 Ivan McAtear: MG Midget 3
36 Michael Reid MG Midget 3
37 David Jenkins Chevette 4
38 Gerry Lynch Escort 4
39 Timmy Lynch Escort 4
40 Austin Quille Colt 2
41 Darren Quille Colt 2
42 Ian O Brien Starlet 2
43 David McAulay Starlet 2
44 David Shirley Starlet 2
45 Paul Tierney Corsa 1
46 Damien Phillips Starlet 2
47 John Nolan Starlet 2
48 Ian White VW Passat 2
49 Guy Foster Mini 2
50 Damien Doran Mini 2
51 Noel Devlin Starlet 1
52 Alan Kessie Fiat Seicento 5
53 Vincent O Reilly Fiat Seicento 5
54 Aidan Courtney Cinquento 5
55 John Courtney Cinquento 5
56 Richie Tallon Starlet 2
57 Eamon Horan Snr Starlet 2
58 Eamon Horan Jnr Starlet 2
59 Eoin Murray Starlet 1
60 Niall Murray Starlet 1
61 Steven Free Proton 2
62 Karl O Donoghue Rover 200 2
63 Jack Quinn Peugeot 309 2
64 Paul Ramoutar Starlet 2
65 Ian Downey Starlet 2
66 Brian Murphy Starlet 2
67 Graham O Donoghue Rover 200 2
68 James Driver Starlet 2
69 Martin Courtney Carina 2
70 John Heavey Starlet 2
71 Robert Lewis Starlet 2
72 David Milligan Starlet 2
73 James Fisher Civic 2
74 Mick Fisher Starlet 2
75 Kevin Fagan Lancer 2
76 Owen Murray Lancer 2
77 Joe Courtney Cinquento 5
78 Neil Bradbury Cinquento 5
79 Joe Downey Starlet 2
80 Dermot Nolan Seicento 5
81 Conor Nolan Seicento 5
82 Ciaran Garahy Corsa 1
83 Pat Maguire Mini 1
84 Dermot Carroll Fiat128 1
85 John Maher Starlet 1
86 David Hayes Starlet 2
87 Alan Auerbach Starlet 2
88 Richard Earney Starlet 2
89 Stephen Briggs Almera 2
90 Danny O Donohue Escort 4
91 Liam Cashman Starlet 1
92 Declan Hendrick Starlet 1